Missouri House candidate accused of drug-planting plot

A Republican candidate for the Missouri House is accused of trying to frame his primary opponent by having cocaine and Adderall planted in her car or purse, federal prosecutors said, prompting the state party chairman to call for him to leave the race.

Thomas Christopher Ross, 37, was charged Thursday with one count of conspiring to distribute a controlled substance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Missouri’s Western District said. The Guardian reported that Ross was arrested Wednesday. Prosecutors say the alleged target was Louise Secker, whom Ross defeated by 33 votes in the August Republican primary for Missouri House District 161.

The district includes Joplin, about 70 miles west of Springfield. The incumbent state representative, Republican Lane Roberts, is not seeking re-election.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Ross’s former campaign manager contacted authorities after Ross allegedly provided a black nylon glove in June that contained a small bag of cocaine and Adderall. The former campaign manager, identified in court documents by the initials “CS,” later gave the glove to local police, according to prosecutors.

Authorities allege Ross wanted the former campaign manager to stash the drugs in Secker’s vehicle or purse while Ross was on vacation in South Carolina. After Joplin police alerted the FBI on July 30 to what The Guardian described as a public corruption matter, federal agents spoke with the former campaign manager. The Guardian reported it was unclear how local police first learned of the alleged scheme.

Court documents describe a series of text messages in which prosecutors say Ross referred to the drugs as “the substance of the matter.” While in Myrtle Beach, Ross allegedly texted the campaign manager to offer luck “getting the substance of the matter sorted this week.” He later wrote, “Any luck with the substance of the matter? I wont be gone much longer.”

A few days later, prosecutors say, Ross texted: “Taking it no luck with the substance of it all?”

The former campaign manager replied, according to court documents cited by The Guardian, “I am actually creeping down to the car show right now and seeing if I can see your car. I have had it on me for a couple days in order to be able to take full advantage of any opportunity that arises.” The person added, “I thought I had it at the forum Walter went to, but never got close [and] car was locked.”

In another text that the affidavit described as a reference to the alleged plot, Ross said Secker planned to meet with Republican women at a local restaurant and wanted “it” to happen beforehand.

“I was hoping we could make it happen before THIS Thursday,” Ross allegedly wrote. “Which would be extreme egg on the face.”

The FBI later gave the former campaign manager a covert recording device, prosecutors said. During a recorded conversation, the former campaign manager suggested calling in an anonymous tip that Secker had drugs in her car and asked whether Ross wanted that done.

“If you can pull it off,” Ross allegedly said, “pull it off.”

Neither Ross nor his attorneys immediately responded to NBC News requests for comment Thursday. Secker also did not respond to requests for comment from NBC News and The Guardian. The Guardian reported it was unclear whether the former campaign manager will face criminal charges.

Missouri Republican Party Chair Peter Kinder urged Ross to withdraw.

“While Mr Ross is entitled to due process and the facts surrounding this matter must be allowed to come to light, the circumstances of his arrest are serious and deeply troubling,” Kinder said in a statement. “The people of the 161st district deserve a nominee who can devote his full attention to earning their trust and representing their interests in Jefferson City.”